Separate Crowns of One Heart

Nınė

Once the engagement party dies down and all the guests leave to go home, James, Demi, the Prince and I climb into our carriage. Their Majesties and my parents ride in a different carriage. The whole ride back to the Palace, not a single word is uttered from the four of us. Since I have not heard him speak once, I don't think James speaks much. I'm not sure why Demi is so quiet but the Prince and I... Well, I'm sure he's preparing to be locked in a room alone with me for the next week just like I am.

We return to the Palace and the Prince walks silently alongside me and Demi and only when we get to my chambers does he speak. "I, uh... I'll see you... In a bit. I just need to get a few things into order and then--"

"And then you're all mine?" I tease to lighten the mood. Perhaps I should have just kept quiet, I think as he stares into my eyes.

"I'll see you in a bit." He turns and continues down the hall to his chambers.

In my chambers, I sit at the vanity as Demi takes down my hair and massages my scalp, allowing me a few moments of relaxation before speaking. "Odusanya, I won't be allowed to see you until the seven days are over... Is there anything you will need?"

An escape route out of this prison. But I don't tell her that. "No, I think I will be alright." Or as alright as I will get. I remove all the jewelry from my body while Demi goes into the wardrobe for a change of clothing. After I've changed into a nightgown and my hair has been secured with a silk scarf, I sit on the bed with Demi standing before me.

I glance down at the nightgown, smoothing my hand along the thin material. "Do you think this is... appropriate? Should I put on something different?"

"I—" Someone knocks on the door, cutting her off. "I should get that." She goes to the door and I hear her exchange words with the disembodied voice of the Prince. Then she steps aside to let him enter.

His night-kamis is a light green and not as long as the ones he dons during the daytime. The matching pants are also shorter and looser. His locs are also tied back with a silk scarf and he carries a bundle of pillows and blankets in his arms.

Demi begins rushing around, grabbing things that she might need. "Let me just get out of your hair."

"Just a minute," he stops her and then looks at me. "Is there anything you need from her before she leaves?" I shake my head no. "We won't be allowed to leave the room for a week? Are you sure?"

I roll my eyes in annoyance. "If there is anything, I can't think of it at the moment so yes, I'm sure."

"Ok." Demi grins between me and the Prince before she lowers herself into a bow. "I will see the both of you in a week." She turns for the door but then comes back and squeezes me in an unexpected hug. "Goodmoon."

When the door shuts behind her, the Prince and I look at each other. "Our Seven Days officially begins at sunup."

"Alright." I grab one of the thicker blankets to cover my bare legs with. "I have a list of rules then."

"No." He places his pillows on the chaise lounge, transforming it into a much too small makeshift bed. "I am not following any of your rules."

"You don't even know what they are."

He stretches his body across the lounge with a groan. "Nothing you say is ever really good though, is it?"

"It is," I argue. I lie back on a pillow and it sinks with the weight of my head. I don't think I will ever get used to sleeping on this bed. It is more a cloud than a bed anyhow.

"If you have rules, then so do I."

I turn my head to glare at him but find the curtains of the canopy hide him from my view. Reaching over, I yank the curtain to the side. "No. You don't get to make the rules."